The European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen suggested that banning TikTok in the EU could be an option during a debate in Maastricht featuring parties' lead candidates for the bloc's 2024 election. Von der Leyen, speaking as the lead candidate of the centre-right European People's Party, underlined the need to address the dangers associated with TikTok, highlighting the Commission's proactive stance by banning TikTok on corporate phones.

The remark comes amidst a series of challenges for TikTok in Europe as recently TikTok decided to suspend a feature that rewards users for interacting with the TikTok Lite app following an investigation by the European Commission under the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA). Additionally, TikTok faces a separate probe under the DSA for alleged failure to protect minors, with the Commission having the authority to order temporary service suspensions as a last resort.

While von der Leyen expressed a clear stance on TikTok, other candidates at the debate, like Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann of the liberal ALDE party, remained more cautious, indicating a need to observe developments regarding TikTok. Notably, von der Leyen reportedly avoids sanctioning TikTok while campaigning for a second term. Despite requests for comment, TikTok did not respond before the publication date.